The evening was graced by *Honourable Chief Guest Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India*. The event was further elevated by the presence of distinguished guests, including *Shri Arjun (Firoz Khan) of Mahabharat fame, Shri Gajendra Chauhan, Ms. Abha Parmar, Shri Ashoke Pandit, Shri Ashok Dubey, Sajid Khan, Prashant Virendra Sharma, Rajeev Nigam, Alexx ONell & Many More.*
The function was enhanced by a mesmerising musical performance by the renowned *Shri Shujat Ali Khan* and a delightful stand-up comedy act by the talented *Shri Nityanand Anand*, creating an atmosphere of celebration, nostalgia, and inspiration.
This monumental milestone of 50 years marked not merely the passage of time but the testimony of relentless perseverance, unity, and progressive vision. The Association had been founded in 1975 by visionaries Late Mr. R.K. Handa, Late Mr. R.M. Verma, and Late Mr. B.B. Mathur, who, recognizing the pivotal role of production management in filmmaking, initiated the journey from a humble desk space at Ranjit Studios, Mumbai.
What had begun with a handful of pioneers, such as Mr. Gyan Sachdev, Mr. M. Chandramohan Rao, and Mr. Harrington Bernard, blossomed into a formidable institution that tirelessly advocated for the welfare and dignity of production executives across the nation. Despite numerous challenges—including inadequate remuneration, non-payment issues, and job insecurity—the Association stood resilient, driven by the collective efforts of leaders like Mr. Ved Gandhi, Mr. Bansilal More, Mr. Surendra Srivastav, Mr. Prakash Upadhyay, and Mr. Shailesh Pandya.
The Association’s journey had witnessed humble beginnings at various temporary offices—from Khar to Natraj Studios—until, with immense effort and dedication, a permanent office was jointly acquired with the Art Directors’ Association at Adarsh Nagar, Andheri West. Later, in 2004, the Association proudly became the sole proprietor of the premises.
The dawn of the 21st century marked a new era as the Association initiated its Annual Award Functions in 2001, celebrating the unsung heroes of the production industry with trophies and recognition for the very first time. Further milestones included providing medical aid, scholarships, financial support during personal milestones and crises, and advocacy for fair remuneration and working conditions.
Under the dynamic leadership of new visionaries like Mr. Surendra Srivastava, Mr. Radheshyam Gupta, Mr. Prakash Upadhyay, Mr. Shailesh Pandya, Mr. Deepak Kumar Choudhary, Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Mr. Imran Merchant, Mr. Bhavesh Panchmatia, Mr. Ravi Chaturvedi, Mr. Santosh Jadhav, Mr. Navin Rai, Mr. Kiran Shahi, Mr. Parvez Alam Khan, Mr. Ashok R. Dubey, Mr. Tapan Kumar Singh, and Mr. Surendra Malhotra, the Association embraced modernization, launching its own website to better connect and serve its members.
Even amidst the turmoil of the PMC Bank crisis and the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the Association remained unwavering. It continued its welfare programs, waived member subscription fees in 2020, distributed ration kits, and facilitated direct financial assistance in collaboration with FWICE.
By the time the Association celebrated this golden milestone, it stood tall as a symbol of resilience, service, and unity. It not only honoured its glorious past but also pledged to stride forward with renewed vigour, envisioning a future where no production executive would have to compromise on dignity, welfare, or opportunity.
The Association called upon its members and the industry at large to move forward with renewed confidence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting every individual in times of need.
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